Calibrachoa sp. plant named ‘Danoa38’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Calibrachoa  cultivar named ‘DANOA38’ is disclosed, characterized by having bright pink flowers mounded plant habit, and large flowers. The new variety is a  Calibrachoa , normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Calibrachoa sp.

Variety denomination: ‘DANOA38’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Calibrachoa cultivar is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor, Gabriel Danziger, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva,Israel. The objective of the breeding program was to produce newvarieties of Calibrachoa for commercial introduction. The seed parent isthe unpatented, proprietary seedling variety referred to as Calibrachoasp. ‘CA-1295’. The pollen parent is unpatented, proprietary varietyreferred to as Calibrachoa sp. ‘CA-793’. The crossing was performedduring 2006.

The new variety was discovered in March 2007 by the inventor in a groupof seedlings resulting from that crossing, in a commercial greenhouse inMoshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar‘DANOA38’ by vegetative cuttings was first performed at a commercialgreenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel in March 2007. Subsequentpropagation has shown that the unique features of this cultivar arestable and reproduced true to type on successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘DANOA38’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘DANOA38’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘DANOA38’ as a new and distinct Calibrachoacultivar:

-   -   1. Bright pink color flower.    -   2. Large flowers.    -   3. Mounded plant habit.

PARENTAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DANOA38’ are similar to plants of theparent, Calibrachoa sp. ‘CA-1295’ in most horticultural characteristics,however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DANOA38’ have a much more freebranching habit, darker pink flower color and a larger flower .

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DANOA38’ are similar to plants of theparent, Calibrachoa sp. ‘CA-793’ in most horticultural characteristics,however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DANOA38’ have a slightly more freebranching habit, pink flower color, compared to white of the pollenparent and a larger flower than the pollen parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DANOA38’ can be compared to the commercialvariety ‘DANOA35’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,779. Plants of ‘DANOA38’ aresimilar to plants of ‘DANOA35’ in most horticultural characteristics,including plant habit and branching characteristics. However, plants ofthe new variety produce pink flowers whereas ‘DANOA35’ produces orangeflowers with colored veins. Additionally, the new variety produceslarger flowers than ‘DANOA35’.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DANOA38’ can also be compared to thecommercial variety ‘DANCALMIDBLU’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,123. Plants of‘DANOA38’ are similar to plants of ‘DANCALMIDBLU’ in most horticulturalcharacteristics, however, plants of the new variety produce pink flowerswhereas ‘DANCALMIDBLU’ produces blue Additionally, the new varietyproduces larger flowers than ‘DANCALMIDBLU’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘DANOA38’ grown in a greenhouse, in a 16 cm pot. Age ofthe plant photographed is approximately 8 weeks from a rooted cutting.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a close up of a typical bloom of‘DANOA38’.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘DANOA38’ plants grown outdoors, during theFall in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The growing temperature rangedfrom 17° C. to 23° C. during the night and 20° C. to 35° C. during theday. Light conditions were bright, high sunlight conditions.Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical planttypes.

-   Botanical classification: Calibrachoa sp. ‘DANOA38’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: 10 to 14 days at approximately 18–35° C.-   Root description: Fibrous.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Trailing.-   Pot size of plant described: Approximately 16 cm.-   Height: To top of flowers: Approximately 7 cm.-   Plant spread: Approximately 20 cm.-   Growth rate: Moderate.-   Branching characteristics: Free branching.-   Length of primary lateral branches: Average 10 cm.-   Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 0.1 cm.-   Quantity of primary lateral branches: 15.-   Characteristics of primary lateral branches:    -   -   Form.—Alternate.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.2 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Green 139A.        -   Texture.—Pubescent.        -   Strength.—Flexible.-   Internodes length: Average 1–2.5 cm.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Quantity.—Approximately 20 per branch.        -   Average Length.—3 cm.        -   Average Width.—1.3 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Oval.        -   Apex.—Rounded.        -   Base.—Acute.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture of top surface.—Glabrous.        -   Pubescence.—Pubescent.        -   Aspect.—90 degrees.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 139A. Young            foliage under side: Near RHS Green 139A. Mature foliage            upper side: Near RHS Green 139A. Mature foliage under side:            Near RHS Green 139A.-   Venation:    -   -   Type.—Pinnate.        -   Venation color upper side.—Near RHS Green 139A.        -   Venation color under side.—Near RHS Green 139A.-   Petiole: No Petiole.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: All year in Mediterranean climates.-   Days to flowering from rooted cutting: Average 15–25 days.-   Inflorescence and flower type and habit: Terminal, single,    salverform, slightly downward nodding.-   Rate of flower opening: 2 to 3 days from bud to fully opened flower.-   Flower longevity on plant: 3–6 days.-   Approximate quantity of flowers per plant: Approximately 20 open    blooms, with approximately 70 buds.-   Persistent or self-cleaning: Self-cleaning.-   Bud:    -   -   Shape.—Tubular.        -   Length.—1.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.5 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Red-Purple N74C.-   Flower size:    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 3.5 cm.        -   Flower tube length.—Approximately 1.5 cm.        -   Flower tube diameter at distal end.—Approximately 0.7 cm.        -   Flower tube diameter at proximal end.—Approximately 0.4 cm.-   Petals:    -   -   Length from throat.—Approximately 1 cm.        -   Width.—2 cm.        -   Quantity.—5.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Apex.—Blunt.        -   Margin.—Entire.-   Color:    -   -   When opening.—Upper surface: Near RHS Red-Purple N74C. Lower            surface: Near RHS Red-Purple N74D.        -   Fully opened.—Upper surface: Near RHS Red-Purple N74C. Lower            surface: Near RHS Red-Purple N74D. Flower throat (inside):            Near RHS Yellow-Green 145C. Flower throat, veins: Near RHS            Red-Purple 70A. Flower tube (outside): Near RHS Yellow-Green            145C. Flower tube, veins: Near RHS Red-Purple 70A.        -   Fading.—Near RHS Red-Purple N74C.-   Calyx/sepals:    -   -   Quantity per flower.—5.        -   Shape.—Elliptic.        -   Length.—Approximately 1.5 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 0.3 cm.        -   Apex.—Truncate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture.—Lustrous.        -   Color.—Upper surface: Near RHS Green 139A. Lower surface:            Near RHS Green 139A.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 2.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.1 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Green 139A.        -   Orientation.—45 degree.-   Fragrance: None.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—5.        -   Filament length.—Approximately 0.6 cm.-   Anthers:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 0.1 cm.        -   Shape.—Round.        -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow 11A.        -   Pollen.—Color: Near RHS Yellow 12A. Quantity: Profuse.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—1.        -   Length.—Approximately 0.7 cm.        -   Style.—Length: Approximately 0.7 cm. Color: Near RHS Green            139C.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Round Color: Near RHS Green 139C. Ovary            Color: Near RHS Green 139A.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Not observed.-   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistant nor susceptible to normal    diseases and pests of Calibrachoa.-   Temperature tolerance: 5–40° C.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Calibrachoa plant named ‘DANOA38’ asherein illustrated and described.